Often times working with shape layers in After Effects, and Layers converted from Adobe Illustrator can be a little task intensive when you rely solely on After Effects. In trying to find better workflows, Zack Lovatt created the Explode Shape Layers script.

This script will take a shape layer and split each of its content groups or paths into individual layers, for finer control & easier access

Explode Shape Layers will take a shape layer in After Effects and split each of its content paths or even groups into individual layers, ultimately giving you much better control and access to shapes.